The Inside Line Podcast - Vital MTB

Electric mountain bikes. Either you love ‘em, or think they’re wack. Granted, the latter opinion has been losing steam as more brands release good e-bikes, and more riders toss a leg over one. They’re the talk of our industry and are one of the few, if not the only, segments of bikes experiencing significant change year after year.In this show, Vital’s own Jason Schroeder and Shawn Spomer, along with industry veteran Lars Sternberg, and Founder/Operator of Crestline Bikes, Troydon Murison, sift through the current landscape of e-bikes and discuss what the future might hold. The conversation also kicks off with a rad (almost hour-long) dive into how Crestline Bikes became a thing and the challenges posed by making bikes overseas.Contents00:00 "My Watch Said I Was Dead" - Lars Sternberg08:54 What's In and What's Out: Weekly Highlights21:17 The Founding of Crestline Bikes and how they were made59:02 Transitioning to DJI Motors01:35:08 Consumer Behavior and E-Bike Sales01:53:20 Understanding Power and Performance in E-Bikes02:10:13 The Balance Between Analog and E-Bikes02:20:43 Regulations and Safety Concerns in E-Biking

In this special edition of the Inside Line podcast, Jeff Brines interviews Sam Nicols, the former CEO of YT Industries from 2021 to 2024, exploring his journey from a career at Amazon to leading a prominent bike company during tumultuous times. He reflects on his experiences as CEO of YT Industries, discussing the challenges faced in the bike industry, particularly around demand fluctuations, inventory management, and the impact of cash flow on business decisions.00:00 Introduction to Sam Nicols and YT Industries01:49 Sam's Background and Career Path09:28 Challenges of Stepping into YT During the Pandemic11:35 Navigating Supply Chain Issues and Customer Care16:01 The Private Equity Interest and Acquisition Process23:45 Aligning Goals with Private Equity30:15 Understanding the Risks of Private Equity34:11 The Impact of Market Conditions on YT's Valuation37:05 Transitioning to In-House Assembly49:43 Demand Fluctuations and Market Realities50:21 Navigating Demand Fluctuations54:08 Strategic Decisions Amidst Overstocks01:00:05 The Impact of Cash Flow on Business Decisions01:03:43 Cost Management Challenges in the Bike Industry01:10:08 Marketing Strategies: Balancing Brand and Performance01:17:48 The Role of Data in Business Operations01:25:12 Leadership Dynamics and Company Culture01:30:12 Reflections on Competition and Industry Evolution

In episode 2 of Bikes: Unaffiliated, Jason Schroeder, Lars Sternberg and Shawn Spomer discuss the evolution of mountain bike technology, focusing on the durability of bikes and components. They explore the expectations riders have for bike longevity, and the importance of community feedback in shaping technology. The conversation also touches on maintenance practices and the balance between cost, weight, and durability in bike design. They delve into the evolution of mountain biking, focusing on suspension setups, the impact of e-bikes on component durability, and the importance of understanding rider skill levels. The crew discusses the challenges of navigating suspension adjustments, the significance of bearing technology, and the lifecycle of bike components. They also dissect where to spend money when building a durable bike.Chapters00:00 Introduction, What's In/What's Out14:10 The Evolution of Mountain Biking Gear18:28 Tires and Tubeless Technology: A Game Changer23:43 The Balance of Durability and Performance29:00 Expectations on Bike Longevity34:05 The Future of Mountain Bike Technology45:20 Dynamic Forks and Rider Preferences48:23 Sensitivity to Suspension Setup51:27 Skill Levels and Equipment Accessibility52:16 Understanding Compression and Adjustments54:29 E-Bikes and Durability Challenges58:17 Headset Issues and Innovations01:03:36 Durability in High-End Bikes01:12:14 E-Bike Technology and Future Considerations01:17:38 Understanding Bike Longevity and Maintenance01:19:41 Investing in Bike Parts for Durability01:22:51 Building a Bike: Prioritizing Components01:26:01 Injury and Its Impact on Riding01:26:10 Choosing the Right Bike and Brand01:29:40 The Lifecycle of Bike Parts and Consumer Expectations01:36:49 Engaging with the Cycling Community

Join Vital's own Jason Schroeder and Shawn Spomer, along with industry veteran Lars Sternberg, as they discuss the gripping topic of launching new bikes and their embargoes. Why do we have embargoes? What goes on behind the scenes of a new product launch? Are embargoed launches still impactful? How do brands and media make a splash on embargo day to give riders something to get excited about?Vital MTB's new podcast show— bikes ≠ unaffiliated,  is our spot to chat about bike-related topics that aren't necessarily focused on current events, racing, or covering the latest-greatest tech. It's not a space for interviews, but rather for having a conversation about things we find interesting.

Jeff Brines follows up our "We Discuss YT" podcast with his thoughts after listening to the Markus Flossmann interview on the Downtime podcast. Jeff also notes corrections made in our original show after learning information shared in the Downtime pod.Discuss more with the Vital community